1. Partially excusing or justifying
   "extenuating circumstances"

1. Lessen or to try to lessen the seriousness or extent of
   "The circumstances extenuate the crime"
   - palliate, mitigate

See also: exculpatory, extenuation

Type of: apologise [Brit], apologize, excuse, justify, rationalise [Brit], rationalize

• national anthem
• National Archives and Records Administration
• national assistance
• National Association of Realtors
• National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations
• national bank
• National Baseball Hall of Fame
• national capital
• national censorship
• National Climatic Data Center
• national debt
• national debt ceiling
• national flag
• National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency
• National Guard
• National Guard Bureau
• national holiday
• national income
• National Institute of Justice
• National Institute of Standards and Technology
• National Institutes of Health
• national insurance
• National Intelligence Community
• National Labor Relations Board
• national leader